2 great books to kick off the school year
In the beginning of the year, one of the first things you want to do is set a context for numbers. Two great books to do this are
Used Any Numbers Lately (prek-2nd) and Math Curse (3rd grade and up).
Used Any Numbers Lately is a great abc book that explores numbers in our world. It does a great job of making math connections to real life. For instance, E is for elevator numbers and H is for house numbers. As an extension, I would have the class use this as a mentor text and then create their own abc’s of how they use numbers in their lives. They can illustrate it and put it with their class big books.
Math Curse is the story of an upper elementary child who wakes up and finds that he can’t get his mind off numbers. He wonders about the numbers involved in his breakfast, he is mesmerized by numbers on the bus on the way to school and then bombarded by the math that whirls around him all day long. As an extension activity, I would have the students do a mural of the many ways they encounter numbers throughout their school day.
Focus Questions for the Discussion:
(Before reading) How do we use numbers in our daily lives?
(After reading) Can you all think of other ways we use numbers in our daily lives?
Dr. Nicki's Guided Math Blog 
Who is the author of Used Any Numbers Lately? I can’t seem to find the book…
Heather
September 1, 2010
Used Any Numbers Lately? [Library Binding]
Susan Allen
Susan Allen (Author)
Jane Lindaman (Author), Vicky Enright (Illustrator)
http://www.amazon.com/Used-Numbers-Lately-Susan-Allen/dp/0822586584
drnickinewton
September 2, 2010